Accessory breast removal surgery is a common plastic surgery, mainly used to remove excess accessory breast tissue. Accessory breast refers to extra breast tissue that appears in the chest or armpits in addition to normal breasts. Although accessory breasts usually do not cause serious health problems, they may cause patients to feel inferior or uncomfortable, especially when wearing tight clothing. Accessory breast removal surgery can effectively improve appearance and enhance patients' self-confidence. However, any surgery is accompanied by risks, and accessory breast removal surgery is no exception. This article will discuss the possible complications of accessory breast removal surgery and analyze its prevention and treatment methods.
Preoperative preparation and evaluation
Although accessory breast removal surgery is a relatively simple operation, preoperative evaluation is very critical. The patient needs to undergo a comprehensive physical examination to confirm the specific location, size and possible tissue characteristics of the accessory breast (such as whether there are lesions such as cysts or tumors). Preoperative imaging examinations, such as ultrasound or MRI, can help doctors understand the structure of the accessory breast tissue and determine whether there are other potential health problems.
In addition, patients need to inform their doctors of any history of allergies, medication use, or previous surgical experiences to ensure the safety of the operation. Adequate preparation before surgery can help doctors make accurate surgical plans and reduce the risk of postoperative complications.
Common complications of mastectomy
Although accessory breast removal surgery is generally safe, like any surgery, there is still a certain risk of complications. Common complications include infection, bleeding, scar formation, nerve damage, and damage to breast tissue.
Infect
Surgical site infection is one of the most common complications of accessory breast removal surgery. The infection usually occurs within a few days after the operation, and manifests as local redness, swelling, heat, pain and secretions. In order to reduce the risk of infection, the doctor will adopt strict aseptic operation during the operation and prescribe antibiotics after the operation. The patient must also strictly follow the doctor's instructions for postoperative care, keep the incision dry and clean, and avoid infection.
If the infection is severe, it may require treatment with stronger antibiotics or, in extreme cases, wound drainage or surgical debridement, so it is crucial to detect signs of infection and treat it early.
Bleeding and hematoma
Bleeding is another common complication. Small blood vessels may be damaged during surgery, leading to bleeding. Generally, doctors will prevent bleeding by electrocoagulation or suturing small blood vessels. If there is obvious swelling or congestion at the wound after surgery, it may indicate the formation of a hematoma. The appearance of a hematoma can cause local pain and discomfort. In severe cases, surgery may be required to drain the hematoma.
To avoid bleeding, patients should avoid strenuous exercise after surgery, rest as directed by their doctor, and avoid excessive exertion, especially in the early postoperative period.
Scarring
All surgical procedures leave scars, and accessory breast removal surgery is no exception. Usually, doctors will try to make incisions in inconspicuous locations to reduce the appearance of scars. However, some patients may experience excessive scarring or keloids, especially those with sensitive skin.
In order to reduce the formation of scars, doctors will choose small sutures when suturing and ensure that the suture layers are accurate. After the operation, patients can reduce the appearance of scars by using scar repair ointments or undergoing laser treatment.
Nerve damage
During accessory breast removal surgery, doctors need to be careful to avoid damaging the surrounding nerves. If the nerves are damaged, it may cause local numbness or abnormal sensation. Especially in surgery in the axillary area, it is easy to damage the nerves that control the skin's sensation, leading to local numbness after surgery.
Typically, nerve damage is temporary and heals over time, but in rare cases, there may be persistent loss of sensation or pain that requires further treatment.
Breast tissue damage
Accessory breast removal surgery is not just about removing accessory breast tissue. It may also involve adjacent breast tissue. If the operation is not performed properly, it may damage the normal breast, leading to abnormal breast secretion function or other complications. Therefore, sufficient preoperative imaging examinations and precise surgical planning are very important to avoid unnecessary breast damage.
In some special cases, damaged breast tissue may cause abnormal milk secretion. Although this situation is relatively rare, it requires close attention after surgery.
Skin necrosis
Skin necrosis is a serious complication caused by insufficient blood supply or excessive skin tension during surgery. If the incision is too large or the skin tension is too strong, the blood supply to the skin may be affected, leading to skin necrosis. Skin necrosis will not only affect the postoperative appearance, but may also cause infection and other complications.
To prevent skin necrosis, doctors will carefully evaluate the blood supply of the skin during surgery, choose the appropriate incision design, and avoid excessive pulling of the skin.
Prevention and treatment of postoperative complications
Although accessory breast removal surgery has a high risk of complications, the incidence of complications can be effectively reduced through reasonable preoperative evaluation, meticulous surgical operation and postoperative care. Patients should follow the following suggestions after surgery to reduce the risk of complications:
Keep the incision site clean and dry to avoid infection.
Follow your doctor's advice to get adequate rest and avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting.
Take antibiotics or painkillers on time to prevent infection and relieve postoperative pain.
Observe the wound for any abnormal swelling or bleeding . If so, seek medical attention immediately.
Have regular follow-up visits with your doctor to review your recovery after surgery and to identify and address any potential problems.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Although accessory breast removal surgery is a common and relatively safe plastic surgery, the occurrence of complications cannot be ignored. Patients should fully understand the risks of surgery when choosing surgery and choose experienced surgeons to perform the surgery. In addition, postoperative care and follow-up are also crucial. Only by strictly following the doctor's instructions for postoperative recovery can we ensure ideal surgical results and minimize the occurrence of complications.